Let's hope that's the idea. It has worked for Red Bull for years now, so it's not that worrying, it's just that they usually topped the speedtraps among the front runners.

I think considering the problem we have, it wise to put all energy on race-pace as it is the place where the points are won. If we have better race pace than Malaysia tomorrow and a bit luck we can make some surprises really. We will have to pass Ricciardo as soon as possible to keep on track with the front runners.

This would be pretty crucial if he wants to make something of his race. It will be interesting to see how fast the softs go off.

Still means that both McLaren drivers will have to run the softs at some point however, which isn't a nice feeling because you just know the end of the race is going to be hard for them and most of the race they will appear to be in a better position than they actually are.

I hope they learn from Sutil's experiment with this in Australia that you can't stretch the option tyre out without massive drops in pace. If they want to stick on the options at the end, do it based on how many laps the cars who started on them did... regardless of difference in fuel loads etc.

I hope they learn from Sutil's experiment with this in Australia that you can't stretch the option tyre out without massive drops in pace. If they want to stick on the options at the end, do it based on how many laps the cars who started on them did... regardless of difference in fuel loads etc.

If they last 8 laps, stick them on with 8 laps to go.

That sounds fairly realistic, 3 stops with 3 16 lap stints on the hards, would leave them with 8 laps to go on a brand new set of options.

Even after Q I still don't know what to expect for tomorrow. I know the tyres dictated the qualifying strategy, but I was hoping to see more pace after the three weeks brake we had. Maybe it was masked by the tyres, and tomorrow we can really up our game.

Looks like the gap has definitely closed which is good news. The guys just have to keep working at it, which I know they will do. Not much of a conciliation but the car sounds great, I think it has something to do with the gearbox. It has this smooth silky note compared to others.

Hmm..I don't know after today's and Malaysia performance i get the impression the car never was that bad. Maybe the team just needs another speedy driver after losing Lewis.
Its a chance now for Whitmarsh to write this: "Dear Seb.Vettel. I heard those mean Red Bull guys where shouting in your ears for passing that rude Australian guy. We will like to inform you that our team can help you get rid of seeing his face every weekend by giving you a nice shinny car. We also have very nice food and you'll get to be a cartoon star.
With lots of love and kisses, Mclaren team principal
Martin Whitmarsh

P.S: Lucozade actually tastes better than Red Bull
"

Anyway lets see what race pace the team will have. If there is some big change that will bring more speed then i guess it has to at arrive at least until Barcelona. If Mclaren ain't as fast as any by then they can wave the championship fight bye bye.

People always bad-mouthing McLaren when they fu*k up something in the race (pit stop, strategy etc.) but we never hear "well done McLaren" when they do something right like in this case to put Button on hard tyres in Q3! This is probably the best decision from McLaren in months! All drivers from the first three rows with Pirelli cheese tyres will have problems very early in the race and that will be a good chance for Jenson!

People always bad-mouthing McLaren when they fu*k up something in the race (pit stop, strategy etc.) but we never hear "well done McLaren" when they do something right like in this case to put Button on hard tyres in Q3! This is probably the best decision from McLaren in months! All drivers from the first three rows with Pirelli cheese tyres will have problems very early in the race and that will be a good chance for Jenson!

Dont count your chickens yet. Imagine there was a safety car lap in the first couple of laps

I hope they learn from Sutil's experiment with this in Australia that you can't stretch the option tyre out without massive drops in pace. If they want to stick on the options at the end, do it based on how many laps the cars who started on them did... regardless of difference in fuel loads etc.

If they last 8 laps, stick them on with 8 laps to go.

The strange thing is, in Oz there were others who did more laps on the options than Sutil, and did them when the car was heavy with fuel, so really you can't judge by what other cars can do.

People always bad-mouthing McLaren when they fu*k up something in the race (pit stop, strategy etc.) but we never hear "well done McLaren" when they do something right like in this case to put Button on hard tyres in Q3! This is probably the best decision from McLaren in months! All drivers from the first three rows with Pirelli cheese tyres will have problems very early in the race and that will be a good chance for Jenson!

It was a pretty obvious call for all the teams not in the hunt for pole... and we dont know yet how the options will last tomorrow. They usually look worse on Friday than they turn out on Sunday.

The strange thing is, in Oz there were others who did more laps on the options than Sutil, and did them when the car was heavy with fuel, so really you can't judge by what other cars can do.

That's certainly true, but my point is more that if you want to stop late to stick on the options, make damn sure that you are not either going to hit the cliff and struggle round for even a couple of laps 5 seconds off everyone else's pace, or that you don't have to stop again.